Table post construction



June s, 1943.-

TABLE POST CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. 5, 1941 INVENTOR.

w. A. HILLENBRAD 2,321,204

Patented June 8, 1943 Y' UNITED STATES P'EEN'E QFFEQE TABLE Pos'r coNsTnUc'rroN William A. Hillenbrand, Batesville, Ind., assignor to Hill-Rom Company, Inc., Batesville, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Application November 5, 1941, Serial No. 417,930

4 Claims. (Cl. SIL-110)'` This invention relates to improvements in the construction of the legs or standards for overbed tables. More particularly, the improvements relate to the structure at the base of these posts.

In this type of table, there must be complete clearance between the pedestals or legs of the table so that the table can be placed in position over the bed; that is, with the elongated table top disposed across the bed before the patient. The bases for the legs must have suicient length crosswise of the table top so as to prevent tipping of the table sideways. The major problem at this point is the attachment of the base elements to the post or pedestal structure. The posts are usually made up of telescoping metal tubes and the base elements must be attached to the lower ends of the lower tubular post section.

Accordingly, it has been the object of the present inventor to provide a base structure for a post or pedestal for an overbed table, which base structure has substantial length crosswise with respect to the elongated table top so as to prevent tipping and which is attached to the lower end of the tubular post section in an improved and extremely rigid manner, whereby as the table is used in service the post section does not loosen with respect to the base element. As stated, this problem is accentuated due to the fact that the base elements are made of wood and must be attached to the metallic section of the tubular post.

Other objects and certain advantages of the invention will be more fully apparent from the following description of the drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an overbed table of the double post or pedestal type illustrating the improved base structure incorporated therein.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional View taken longitudinally and vertically of one of the base assemblies showing the details of the structure.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3 3, Figure 2, further detailing the base structure.

Although the complete table is illustrated in the general perspective view, it is not deemed necessary to describe in detail the construction of the table; that is, the top and mounting of the top on the posts. Accordingly, the following description will be general as to the table and detailed as to the structure incorporated in the base portionsI of the posts. I

Referring to the drawing, the table top is generally indicated at I and the respective posts at II-I I. The cranks I2-I2 are provided for operating mechanism within the assembled structure for raising and lowering the top with respect to the pedestal construction. g

The posts are sectional, including in each case an upper section I3 and a lower or inner section I4. The outer sections include rubber corner bumper strips |5-I5 designed to protect the structure of the bed and of the posts when in use. The post sections are formed of rectangular tubing, the tubing being disposed laterally, regarding its widest cross-sectional dimension, with respect to the table top.

The structure making up the base assemblies consists in each case of a strip of wood I6 mounted on casters I'I-I 'I at the respective ends thereof. The bottom of the post section I4 rests upon the central portion of the strip I 6. A block of wood I8 is tted within the lower end of the lower tubular section I4. Gusset members I9 formed of wood are disposed in the corners formed by the post and the strip of wood I6. These members are of slightly less thickness than the width of the strip I6 and extend outwardly substantially to the ends of the strip. They are of the same height as the block I8.

In assembling this structure, pegs 20 are utilized, there being a pair of these at each side of the post. They are disposed horizontally in bores formed in the side walls of the post and in the block of wood I8. The gusset members I9 include bores tted over the posts. A series of screws 2| are inserted through the strip I6 into the gusset members and into the block of wood I8. Additionally, the mounting studs 22 of the casters project through the strip I6 into the gusset members. y

Thus, the structure is tightly fastened together. There is little or no opportunity for lateral swaying of the posts on the base in a direction crosswise of the table; that is, in a direction which would cause the table to sway sideways. The tendency for the table to sway lengthwise is counteracted by improved means within the connection of the top of the post to the table. This structure is fully described and claimed elsewhere. Thus, the lower end of the tubular post is rmly attached to the wooden elements of the base.

Through the provision of wooden elements engaging both sides of the side walls of the tubular post, there is very little chance for the post to be disaligned or to develop looseness Which would cause swaying of the table. Also, attachment of these parts is strengthened for the connecting pegs engage in solid elements on both sides of the metal walls and the elements hold the walls iirmly between them.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In a table post construction, a metal tubular post element, a horizontally disposed strip of wood having said tubular post engaging it centrally of its length, a block of wood within the post at the lower end thereof, gusset members secured in the respective corners between the post and the strip of wood, and attaching pegs extending into the block of wood and the gusset members respectively through the walls of the tubular post. A

2. A table post construction, comprising a metal tubular post element, a horizontally disposed strip of wood having said tubular post resting on it centrally of its length, a block of wood within the post at the lower end thereof, gusset members disposed in the corners between the post and the strip of wood, casters supporting the respective ends of the strip of wood, pegs eX- tending into the block of wood and the gusset members respectively through the walls of the tubular post, and screws attaching the gusset members to the strip of wood.

3. In a post including a metal tubular post, an elongated base element supporting said post centrally thereof, and wooden elements disposed inside and outside of said post and held tightly against the walls of the post, the outer of said elements engaging the base element for bracing the post against swaying in a direction parallel with the elongated base element.

4. In a table post construction, including a metal tubular post element, said post being rectangular in cross section, a horizontally disposed strip of wood having said tubular post engaging it centrally of its length with the widest walls of the post disposed parallel with the long edges of the strip of wood, a block of wood within the 

